News: Sportsnet.ca reports that Rangers RW Marian Gaborik suffered a deep laceration of his thigh but no tendon damage when he got caught by Henrik Lundqvist's skate during Tuesday's practice. He's listed as day to day.
Analysis: Gaborik's owners can take a deep sigh of relief at this news, which could have been a lot worse after Gaborik hobbled off the ice on Tuesday morning. The elite Fantasy forward might miss a game or two with this cut on his leg, but he should be fine for the Olympics and there shouldn't be any long-term ramifications. Continue to roll with Gabby in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Philadelphia Daily News reports that, according to a source, Flyers G Emery might have a torn hip labrum that could require surgery. Results of Emery's recent MRI have not yet been made available.
Analysis: Emery came out of the gate on fire this season, but then had to undergo abdominal surgery in December. This hip issue may have been contributing to that problem or vice versa, and it's not looking good for Emery's prospects the rest of this season. He did skate for an hour on Monday, but didn't push it. Stay tuned to this developing situation, as we might hear more concrete news about Emery's prognosis later on Tuesday.
News: The Montreal Gazette reports that Canadiens D Marc-Andre Bergeron will miss 6-8 weeks with a leg injury.
Analysis: Bergeron is with his fourth team in four years and has only played more than 75 games once in his six full NHL seasons. Before getting hurt he had some nice Fantasy value as a defenseman playing on the forward lines for Montreal, so is worth stashing away in most formats while he recovers.
News: The Ducks' official web site reports that C Ryan Getzlaf felt some definite improvement in his sprained ankle on Tuesday. "I feel a lot better actually," Getzlaf said. "Last night was pretty ugly at times and painful. The swelling reacted perfectly. There is not much swelling in it."
Analysis: The results of an MRI on Getzlaf's ankle have yet to be revealed, but the fact his swelling has gone down is great news for Anaheim, Fantasy owners and Team Canada. Getzlaf is a regular multi-point threat and must-start Fantasy option when healthy, so continue to follow his progress closely.
News: It didn't take long for Dallas C Mike Ribeiro to regain his rhythm on Tuesday night at Chicago. Playing for the first time since Jan. 6 after spending time on IR with a throat injury, Ribeiro immediately made an impact scoring the game's first goal on a power play in the first period. It was his 11th tally of the season.
Analysis: Ribeiro has made a nice recovery from this injury and is apparently good to go. He has the ability to be an impact Fantasy option for use in all leagues and it seems he may return to that plateau.
News: Detroit winger Johan Franzen was removed off IR and played on Tuesday for the first time since Oct. 8. Franzen had been out with a knee injury and he was immediately a difference maker upon his return Tuesday at St. Louis. Franzen recorded an assist in the third period on Pavel Datsyuk's goal.
Analysis: Franzen is still going to need a few games to completely get back into rhythm but he sure looked fine on Tuesday. He can be a solid No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy forward when he's performing to the best of his ability.
News: Buffalo D Tyler Myers was struck in the face by a shot with 43 seconds left in regulation and didn't return on Tuesday against the Bruins. The team said the defenseman was fine after the game.
Analysis: Myers is setting new standards for first-year blueliners. The kid is already in the Sabres' top defensive pairing and has become a high-end Fantasy option only a few months into his hockey career.
News: The Capitals have recalled G Semyon Varlamov from his AHL conditioning stint.
Analysis: It's been more than two months since Varlamov last started a game for the Caps, and his Fantasy owners have to be hoping he was worth the wait. The Russian will likely split starts with Jose Theodore for the time being, but undoubtedly has enough talent to take the No. 1 job for himself as some point in March. Varlamov might not be worth using in even daily leagues until after the Olympic break, but that really depends on your goalie situation. Weekly league owners should just sit back and enjoy the action in Vancouver knowing that a key part of your potential Fantasy success is back healthy again...for now.
News: Chicago G Antti Niemi stopped five Dallas shootout attempts on Tuesday night and held off the Stars, 4-3, in shootout fashion. Niemi allowed three goals to score through regulation and overtime and stopped 24 shots.
Analysis: Niemi improves to 15-4-1 on the season and has won four of his last five starts. Niemi has been playing great hockey this season, but hasn't been able to unseat Cristobal Huet just yet. There is an opening there though, as Huet has been getting shelled lately. This one may have done the trick so pay special attention to this situation. Combined with his solid form, that could be enough for you to use Niemi as a sleeper No. 2 Fantasy goalie in deeper leagues. The Blackhawks TG remains a must-start option.
News: Dallas G Marty Turco stopped 37 shots on Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks and the game was tied through regulation and overtime. Turco allowed three goals during the game and allowed Chicago's Kris Versteeg to score the game's lone shootout goal as the Blackhawks won, 4-3 in shootout fashion.
Analysis: The shootout loss drops Turco's record to 17-15-9 on the season, though he is 2-1-1 in February. View the veteran goalie as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy option in deeper leagues. The Stars TG has similar value.
News: Carolina C Tuomo Ruutu came off IR and returned to the ice on Tuesday against Florida for the first time since Jan. 8. It was like he didn't even miss any time. Carolina won the game 4-1 and Ruutu helped by scoring his 12th goal of the season late in the game on the empty net.
Analysis: The empty-net goal Ruutu scored on Tuesday now gives him 26 points on the season and his first points since Dec. 28. It appears he will contribute immediately, which is good for Fantasy owners considering he can be a pretty solid Fantasy option in any league when he's playing well.
News: Detroit winger Drew Miller was on the ice on Tuesday at St. Louis as he returned from an ankle issue. Miller did not record any points in the game.
Analysis: Miller has been a great energy-line guy for Detroit and has been able to take advantage of some injuries to rack up opportune points. Unfortunately, Detroit is starting to get healthy and that means less scoring chances for Miller, who still has marginal Fantasy appeal.
News: St. Louis netminder Chris Mason stopped 39 shots through regulation and overtime on Tuesday night against the Red Wings. Mason allowed Jason Williams to score in the shootout but only after T.J. Oshie scored for the Blues. Brad Boyes followed with the game winner and Mason did the rest stopping Henrik Zetterberg to win, 4-3.
Analysis: Mason had dropped two straight starts before winning this game on Tuesday night. His record improves to 18-17-8 on the year. You can't blame all of his failures solely on him as the Blues have been very much to blame as well. Still, he might begin losing some starts to Ty Conklin if he can't win more consistently. Mason has dropped to being a low-end No. 2 Fantasy netminder. The Blues TG is also a No. 2 option.
News: Detroit G Jimmy Howard stopped 42 shots on Tuesday night against the Blues and found himself tied with St. Louis at three heading into overtime. He was solid in the extra period but eventually lost the game, 4-3, in the shootout. Howard allowed back-to-back shootout goals by T.J. Oshie and Jason Williams for the loss.
Analysis: Howard has now lost three straight and his record falls to 20-13-7 on the year. The Red Wings have been pretty brutal lately, and Howard's Fantasy production has suffered as a result. Still, he's the clear No. 1 choice in the Motor City for now, and remains worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy option for the time being. The Red Wings TG is also a No. 2 option.
News: Ottawa G Brian Elliot stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced on Tuesday in a 3-2 win over the Flames. Elliot allowed just a goal in the first and second periods and held off one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL.
Analysis: Elliot lost his last time out but has still won 10 of his last 11 starts for the Senators to improve his record to 20-12-3 on the year. Elliot may remain in goal until his hot streak ends and that is great news for Fantasy owners who chose to start him this scoring period. Elliott remains a solid No. 2 Fantasy goalie for now along with the Senators TG.
News: Calgary was upended by Ottawa on Tuesday night as Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was not at his best. The netminder allowed all three goals to score as he stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced in the game. Ottawa won 3-2.
Analysis: Kiprusoff wasn't at his best on Tuesday but since his record falls to just 26-18-9 on the year and the fact that the Flames are one of the better scoring teams in the NHL, he remains a solid Fantasy start in all formats. Kipper and the Flames TG remain using in all but the smallest of leagues for the time being.
